Ceramic tile green talking points Article Number : 6467

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Date	3/17/2011 9:03:11 AM
Written By	LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services
View this article at:	//floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=6467
Abstract	The following are just some of the green points to consider when using or marketing ceramic tile...
Article	The following are just some of the green points to consider when using or marketing ceramic tile: • There are no plastics or solvents used to make the product. Nearly all components in tile are organic—clay, sand and feldspar. • When harvested in a responsible manner, clay is considered an eco-friendly material. • Tile is durable and can last generations (if not longer), meaning it will not be disposed of very quickly. • Tile doesn’t promote the growth of mold, mildew or bacteria. • Most tile glazes are water-based and use minimal amounts of solvents. Once fired, the tile and glaze are completely fused with no emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). • Tile manufacturers are employing sophisticated dust collection systems and reclamation processes to reuse all unfired waste generated by production. • Many manufacturers have systems that recycle 100% of retained production water resulting in a drastic reduction in water consumption. • Technological advances are allowing manufacturers to take back post-consumer tiles and recycle them into new ones, thus keeping materials from municipal waste streams. • Porcelain is technically impervious ceramic tile. This means spills will not seep through the material and deteriorate the subfloor with rot, mold, etc. • Tile can help projects earn LEED points under various areas, depending on where and how it is manufactured. • Tile manufacturers are employing sophisticated dust collection systems and reclamation processes to reuse all unfired raw waste generated by production. • If damaged, individual tiles can be easily replaced without impacting the entire floor, using less material. • Advances in setting materials now allow many tile installations to be left intact if new flooring is desired. • The tile industry as a whole has reduced gaseous emissions by 75% of the levels required to produce just one-third of what it did in the 1970s. • Tile effectively retains both heat and the cooling effect of air conditioning. When used in conjunction with an energy-efficient radiant heating system, the energy consumption required for a building can be reduced. • Tile will not give off odors or absorb odors from other contaminants such as smoke and paint fumes. • There are generally no gases or toxic byproducts when installing or living with tile.